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Questions and Answers: 2021

Question: I live in Thomaston, Me. I bought native BEBB WILLOW from a wholesaler and later learned that these plants were …

  • Question

    I live in Thomaston, Me. I bought native BEBB WILLOW from a wholesaler and later learned that these plants were apparently propagated in Virginia, possibly even further distances from Thomaston, Maine. Will native plants propagated a great distance from where they will be planted/grown have the ecological services/benefits to host native insects? Thank you.

    Answer

    cindylangnewlife, good afternoon again! I've seen a cultivar sold as Salix bebbiana that was clearly a different species. Yes, native plants from further south can be grown much north of where they were grown (they have cold hardiness built into them in some cases). Certainly, it likely has some value to the local insect life, especially if the shrub is native to North America. Best wishes.